Monday, November 23, 2009

"The Joy of Living" is an album from Nelson Riddle released, on Capitol Records, in 1959. Riddle was one of the greatest arrangers in the history of American popular music and was involved in the production of hundreds of albums between 1953 and 1985. He worked directly with such giants as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Tommy Dorsey, Nat King Cole, Les Baxter, Julie Andrews and 101 Strings.

He was also very involved in television and film music, contributing to the soundtracks of programs such as The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Tarzan, Emergency! and Batman. He composed and conducted the soundtrack to the 1966 Batman movie. He wrote the theme songs to television's The Untouchables and Route 66. I could go on, of course, but you can find out more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Riddle.

He was best known, perhaps, for his "Swingin' Sound". Most of his records are uptempo and energetic compared to this one, which is rather relaxed and laid back by comparison (described, in the liner notes, as "restful yet zestful"). I dig it quite a bit and hope you do as well. It is presented here in all of it's Monophonic, High Fidelity Wonderfulness.

Here in the USA we'll be celebrating Thanksgiving Day this coming Thursday. Thanksgiving is a harvest festival holiday devoted to giving thanks for the year's harvest and expressing gratitude in general. I thought this record fit the season because of the statement, posted on it's back cover, that reads "Nelson Riddle presents twelve danceable, gently swinging reasons why it's great to be alive."